NBA Power Rankings Based on Championship Odds (Championship Contenders Can Make Opening Night Statement)
By Peter Dewey
The NBA season is officially HERE!
The Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers kick things off on Tuesday night, and I, for one, am extremely excited to have basketball back.
There hasn't been a ton of odds movement recently, but the Milwaukee Bucks are now the favorite to win the NBA title, even with Khris Middleton out to start the season.
Here are our latest NBA Power Rankings before the 2022-23 season begins:
1. Golden State Warriors (+700)
The Warriors locked up Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole for the long term, putting them in a perfect spot to run it back in the 2022-23 campaign.
2. Milwaukee Bucks (+550)
The Bucks won't have Khris Middleton to start the season, but they are still the favorites to win the NBA Finals. Giannis Antetokounmpo will do that.
3. Boston Celtics (+600)
Boston dropped out of the top spot in the odds, but this team should still be among the East's elite in the 2022-23 season.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (+700)
John Wall could add another dimension to an extremely deep Clippers team.
5. Brooklyn Nets (+900)
The Nets should be a contender on paper, but the health of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons could change that.
6. Denver Nuggets (+2000)
The Nuggets are a perfect dark horse team with Jamal Murray back in the lineup alongside Nikola Jokic.
7. Philadelphia 76ers (+1300)
Joel Embiid and the Sixers should be dangerous in the East with a full year of James Harden.
8. Miami Heat (+1600)
Can the Heat make up for the loss of P.J. Tucker with in-house replacements?
9. Phoenix Suns (+1000)
Phoenix is +1000, but there is a lot of turmoil between Deandre Ayton's contract and Jae Crowder's trade request with this team.
10. Dallas Mavericks (+2700)
Luka Doncic is looking to build on a big finish to last season and lead the Mavs back to the Western Conference Finals.
11. Memphis Grizzlies (+2400)
No Jaren Jackson Jr. to start the season will make things tough on Memphis, but Brandon Clarke (newly extended) is a good fill in option.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers (+3300)
The new-look Cavs could make a major leap in the East now that Donovan Mitchell is on the roster.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves (+3300)
The Wolves have their eyes on a playoff spot for the second straight year after trading for Rudy Gobert.
14. Atlanta Hawks (+5000)
The Hawks traded for Dejounte Murray, but there are still questions on if they can break into the top six in the East.
15. New Orleans Pelicans (+5500)
Zion Williamson is back, and the Pelicans seem poised to make a leap this season.
16. Los Angeles Lakers (+2700)
Russell Westbrook off the bench? Apparently that's a possibility for the Lakers after getting smoked in the preseason.
17. Toronto Raptors (+4600)
Toronto could prove me wrong and repeat last season's success, but I'm not sold on this team after making very few moves in the offseason.
18. Portland Trail Blazers (+18000)
Dame Time is BACK! Lillard should be enough to at least get Portland into the play-in tournament.
19. Chicago Bulls (+6500)
The Bulls could be a team destined to regress with Lonzo Ball out significant time with a knee injury.
20. New York Knicks (+12000)
Jalen Brunson and the Knicks looked good in the preseason, but can they carry that into the regular season?
21. Washington Wizards (+21000)
Bradley Beal raises the Wizards' floor, but they are still a team that could miss the play-in in the East.
22. Charlotte Hornets (+24000)
LaMelo Ball is hurt, and the Hornets have had three players arrested this offseason. It might be time to tank.
23. Sacramento Kings (+49000)
The Kings are relying on De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis to turn things around and finally get in the playoff conversation.
24. Detroit Pistons (+50000)
Cade Cunningham and the Pistons should be a frisky team in the East this season...
25. Orlando Magic (+50000)
Paolo Banchero's development is the biggest key for Orlando in the 2022-23 season.
26. Utah Jazz (+50000)
The Jazz could sell off more veterans at the deadline, but they have some talented young players on the roster.
27. Indiana Pacers (+50000)
Tyrese Haliburton has the keys to the franchise in Indiana, but the Pacers may be in the tanking business this season.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (+50000)
Don't expect much out of OKC, especially if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is hurt to start the season.
29. San Antonio Spurs (+50000)
The Spurs are going all in to tank for Victor Wembanyama, and you can't blame them after trading away Dejounte Murray.
30. Houston Rockets (+50000)
Kevin Porter Jr. has a new contract, but Houston is still one of the worst teams in the NBA.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.